College football: Wyoming hires North Dakota State's Bohl as next coach

Wire reports |
December 8, 2013
| Updated: December 8, 2013 11:07pm

LARAMIE, Wyo. - Craig Bohl isn't leaving behind the cold and snow in taking over the Wyoming football program after 11 years at North Dakota State. He is moving up a level in the college football hierarchy and likes the idea of undertaking a new coaching challenge.

"I've always admired Wyoming football," Bohl said. "I knew also that there's a certain number of jobs that I'm going to be the right fit for. I'm a hard-nosed Midwest guy and, when I look at Cowboy football, that's what I would think the trademark would be. And so it just seemed like the right fit."

Bohl was introduced Sunday as Wyoming's coach to media and fans while inside a stadium suite overlooking snow-covered Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.

Bohl comes to Wyoming after 11 years at North Dakota State, where he has won the late two Football Championship Subdivision titles and is in the process of seeking a third.

Bohl will remain North Dakota State's coach through the end of its playoff run.

When Bohl takes over at Wyoming, he will be paid a base salary of $750,000 a year at the start with the opportunity to earn up to $1.2 million with incentives. His contract is for five years.

He replaces Dave Christensen, who was fired Dec. 1 after five seasons. Bohl has a 101-32 record with the Bison, including a 10-1 mark in the FCS playoffs and 9-3 showing against Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Bohl said most of his staff will follow him to Wyoming.

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Coach Brian Kelly also said at a news conference that defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, a junior, has submitted paperwork to get an evaluation of where he likely would be selected if he entered the draft.

Fresno St. wins MWC title game

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